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I don't feel guilt because there is not a whole lot you can do about
inherited disease, especially if you don't know you have it before you
have kids! I feel *satisfaction* that we paid enough attention to Ben to
notice that something odd was happening and that we might have figured out
what it was! Of course, various family members want to deny that it
(allergy, sensitivity, etc., whatever) comes from *their* side of the
family!  (talking grandparents here!) And one has to figure out ways for
them all to understand that "just a little" is entirely too much.

I think, generally, people accept "allergy" because most people have some
experience with it. Diabetes is still misunderstood by many (I had
gestational diabetes when I was carrying Ben so I have personal experience
with others misunderstanding) and this can elicit those comments about
eating too much sugar, etc. I had barely heard of the word "celiac" before
this winter, but I had heard of wheat allergy.

Anne Washburn
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Co-owner, APH - Association of Personal Historians List